Labeling mechanism



J. A. OLSON AND I. E. WILLIAMSON.

" LABELING MECHANISM.

APPLIcATIoN FILED Nov. 2s, 1920.

Patented June 6, 1922.

3 SHEE'I'Sv-SHEET I.

d 4f /45 l|||| W7, 46 v ZI ZI J. A. OLSON AND 1. E. WILLIAMSON.

LABELING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED IIov. 23, 1920.

1,418,455.. Patented June 6, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@i "IIIIII" i" 46 ATTORNEYS J. A. OLSON AND I. E. WILLIAMSON.

LABELING IVIECHANISIVI.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23,1920.

Patented June 6, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Mmm

unirse STATE l Q-FFE.

JOHN A. OLN, 0F` BERG-ENFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AND JOHN E. WILLIAMSON, 0FYONKEBIS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'TOY STORES & SMITHCOMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

naiefiafs.`

Specification of vLetters Patent.

LABEILING MECHANISM.

Patented June 6, 1922.

A ApplicationA led November 23, 1920. Serial No. 425,990.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN A. OLsoN and lJOHN E. WiLLIAMsoN, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of Bergenfield and- VYonkers, in thecounties of Bergen and The invention relates to mechanism for applyinglabels or other sheet material, usulally paper, to articles or packages,and for feeding or conveying the packages.

More particularly the invention relates to means for securing labels topackages, such means being adapted at the same time to advance thepackages on which the labels are secured.

In the present adaptation the invention provides means for smoothingdown and pressing upon a row of similar articles labels which have beenpreviouslyinitially aiiixed to the articles, and at the same timefeeding successive rows of the articles forward.

More particularly described, an important feature of the inventionconsists in smoothing and pressing devices which smooth the ends oflabels down upon the sides of packages and at the same time yieldablygrip the packages andy move them successively .from one position toanother. In a preferred form as shown herein movable brush devices areemployed which smooth down and ailix to the packages adhesively coatedlabels and at the same time advance the packages in a desired direction.Very simple'and effective means are thus providedy for performing thedesired functions.

The invention also includes improved means for imparting a step by stepmovement to a suitable conveyor and means for positively retaining theconveyor in stationary position between its movements. The inventionalso comprises other instrumentalities and combinationsof parts,

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are sullicientlyexplained in connection with a detail description of the accompanyingdrawings which show exemplifying embodiments of the invention. Afterconsidering these, persons skilled in the art will understand that manyvariations and modifications may be made in the different.

lnstrumentalities, as well as in the general arrangement andsub-combinations of parts; and we contemplate the employment of allembodlments of the invention which are within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings: v

F 1g. 1 1s a front delevation of labeling mechanism embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a'ileft end elevation of Fig. 1,

with certain parts in vertical section;"

F1 3 1s a fragmentarysectional View showlng the parts in anotheroperative position Flg. '4 is an end elevation of modified mechanlsrn;and

Fig. 5 1s a detail showing `the modied mechanism. in another operativepostion.

A table .10 which may be continuous or sectional 1s supported bysuitable framing 11. A conveyor 12, consisting in this instance of theupper flight of a continuous conveyor belt, passes over the table and ismovedstep by step toward the left, vas indicated by the arrow.Theconveyoris provlded with suitable blades 13 arranged at regularintervals for advancing successive rows of articles, represented inlthis case by cigarette packages P. A row of packages is represented inthe right hand portion of Fig. 1 after i-t has been placed upon theconveyor in proper position, with a conveyor blade 13 engaging the rearsidepf the rearmost package in the row, lten packages being convenientlyarrangedI in each row to conform to customary methods of boxingcigarette packages. -Evidently the number of packagesn a row may bevaried and the principlesof the invention also apply to vcases in whichonly .a single package 1s opside of the package, as shown in Fig. 2.This initial label attaching and row feeding mechanism does not form apart of the present invention, but is shown in proper relationto theinvention mechanism to illustra-te the adaptation of the presentinvention to` representative mechanisms for supplying packages withvinitially attached' invention is equally available when packages orpackage `rows with initially attached.v

stantially at the osition X, by hand.'

At the left in ig. 1 is ymechamsm embodyv ving the present invention forcompleting t e label attachment, by smoothing down the ackages, and

tion away from. the conveyor, to other mechanismwhich performs otheroperations upon the articles, 1n the present instance the additionaloperation consisting in packing the cigarette packages in boxes, or inarranging them suitably for such packing.

The conveyor asses below vertical guides 15 consisting o upright membershaving openings 16, centered in relation to the position of each packagein a package row located in the left hand position of Fig. V1, theseopenings extending from the tops, of the guide members to a pointsomewhat above the bottoms of the packages. vThe side members areprovided with angularly extended bases 17 connected to the table. Thereisthus formed a troughv or channel which guides the.v package rowsagainstulateral displacement and provides openings .16 for theaccommodation of the combined label smoothing and feeding brushes.

Located above the tableatv they left .hand package row `position of Fig.1 is a substantially rectangular brush frame 20 enclosing the combinedbrushing and feeding devices. These comprise vertical side members 21which constitute in effect brush bodies and are of any suitable materialto conveniently receive groups of brush bristles 22. .These bristles arearranged in vertical rows and may cover substantially the entirefaces ofthe brush members confronting the package rows, or suiicient bristlesmay be omittedA` near the bottoms of the bodies to providebristleclearance for vthe portions of guide members 15 intermediate theopening 16.-

Certain rows of bristles at the lower ends of the brush bodies arearranged t0 extend down into these openings and the bristle arrangementis such that at least the longitudinal dimension of the labels in thedirection of the length of the package row is covered bybristle endsthroughout the vertical length of the brushing means. The ends of thebrush bodies are connected by suitable end `members, 24, these togetherwith the brush bodies forming substantially a rectangular box-likeenclosure for successive package rows, lined on the two main sides withbrush bristles. The side and end members of this enclosure are connectedto frame 20 by screws 25 or otherwise, as may be convenient. y

The groups of bristles. are arranged in the brush bodies so that theindividual bris- 1,41 aast 'secured to -a side 4member of the frame.

Frame 20 is' 'reciprocated vertically at suitable intervals i-nrelationto the conveyor movement by mechanism later described. When the conveyorbrings a row of ackages to rest in the left hand position o Fig. 1 thebrush frame is elevated as shown 1n 'E hg. 2 and is then moved down tothe position of Fig. 3, certain lower rows of bristles 1n this movementpassing into openings 16 of guides 15 and suitable rows of bristlesengaglng faces of the Aupper .surfaces of the laterally extending endsof the labels L and turnlng these ends down against the sides ofthepackages, and successive groups of bristles then brushing and pressingthe label ends into iirm adhesive engagement with the package sides,until the downward limit of brush movement is reached. The brush v frameis then raised and owing to the angular arrangement of the bristles theyat once firmly grip the sides of the packages and raise the package rowuntil when the brush lframe is again in elevated position as shownA inFig. 2, the package row last brushed and 'elevated is in the lowermostposition between the brush members. The package row is there held withsatisfactory security by the brush bristles, but is freely movablevertically lin relation to the brush members by reason of the relativeease of deflection of the bristles in an upward direction, owing totheir angular arrangement.

The conveyor 12 then moves forward another step, bringing another row ofarticles into position; the brush frame again descends and brushes downthe labels in the new row in the same manner and at the same timeythrlowe'rmost row of packages between the brush members engages theupper ends of the new package row and is prevented from moving fartherdownward and'is in effect pushed up between the brush members until atthe termination of the downward brush movement the new package row isfully inserted between the brushes and the row last operated on liesabove the new row. In the continued upward feeding due to the brushframe movement the package row is acted upon by successive sets ofbristles and the label ends are held securely,

smoothed down and pressed against the sides .of the packages, and at thesame time in -a carry-olf conveyer 40, which may be an endless beltconveyor with one end supported by a belt roll'41 carried by uprights42, connectedto the table, is provided, with vits receiving end locatedadjacent toA and slightly below the upper end of the brush mechanismwhen in 1ts downward'position, as shown in Fig. 3. `The brush mechanismis preferably provided with a defiector 45 lwhich may conveniently be ofsheet metal,

havin a longitudinal angular part 46 and latera ly extending end members47, which may be secured to the brush bodies by screws 48, or otherwise.v As the uppermost ypackage row is ejected from between the brushbristles the upper ends of the packages strike the angular deflector 46and are turned outward at about the time that the lower ends of thepackages leave the uppermost bristles. The u per ends of the pack--lages then fall upon t e active flight ofconveyor 40, while the lowerends slide over the upper end o-f the left handbrush body 21, as viewedin Fig. 3, and the' row of packages is then removed by the conveyor forsuitable disposition, such as arrangement for packing inboxes-orotherwise, as may be desired. To facilitate the sliding of thepack.A

ages over the brush body 21 and their delivery onto the conveyor theupper edge of the left hand brush body may be provided with a downwardlybeveled surface 50, which reduces the upper edge contact of the'bodywith the packages and facilitates downward and outward movement of therear ends of the packages over the brush body and onto the conveyor. Thecarry-olf conveyor may be driven in any suitable way, for instance, byinterconnection with any suitable driving part of the present mechanism;but this is not essential and the driving connection may be to a part ofthe subsequent handling mechanism, or otherwise, as may be desirable.

One end of conveyor 12 may be carried by a pulley 60, fixed on a shaft61 l T he belt may extend to the right as seen 1n Flg. 1 to any suitablepoint where that end of the belt may be supported by another` pulley,r

'Means for driving' shaft 64 intermittently from continuously rotatingshaft 63 arel provided, consisting in the present embodiment of thefollowing: One face of gear 65 isprovided with a plurality of pairs ofparallel flanges 67, defining radial channels periphery. Shortl 68 openat their-outer ends. Shaft 63 car-'l ries an arm 70 on which is a roller71 adapted to'co-operatewith channels 68. In

the vposition shown in Fig. 1 .the roller has just left the adjacentchannel 68. The con veyor'is at rest and remains so during considerablymore than one-half revolution of shaft 63. At the ,completion of thismovement roller 70 enters `the openy end of channel 68 which is directedupward vdiagonally toward the ri ht, and enga es the lower flange 67 oft e channel an thus rotates gear 65 one-fifth revolution. vThis motion1s suitably 'multiplied by gear 65 and pinion 66, and shaft 61 andpulley 6() are thus turned sufficiently to move the conveyor beltforward one ste to bring a new row of packages into la eling, brushingand feeding pos1t1on.A

t is desirable to provide means for positively retainlng the conveyorinv position during its period of rest. in the present embodiment shaft61 is provided with a cross piece 75 having short arcshaped ends 76 inwhich areprovided, at diametrically opposite points, notches 77. Arock-arm 78, which may conveniently be movably mounted' on shaft 64 isprovided with a tooth 79 to o o-operate with notches 77. The other endofthe rock-arm has a roller 80 (yo-operating with the periphery ofacambody 81 fixed on shaft 63.' This cam body has a substantiallysemi-circular concentric portion 82 and another substantiallysemi-circular concentric portion 83 of smaller diameter, these portionsbeing connected by a suitable curvature of the cam before roller 70leaves one of the channe s 68 at the end of each feed movement of theconveyor, the large concentric portion 82 of cam 81 leaves roller 80.androck-arm 78 rotates until its tooth 79 en ages the adjacent notch 77 Qofcross piece 5.l APulley 60 is thus 'locked in position by the toothuntil the next feed movement 1s about t0 take place, `at which time camroller 80 is lforced down' until lit rides again on the large concentricportion 82 of the cam and tooth 79 is withdrawn -from the scribed. Theend of arm 78 carrying' tooth 79 may be made sufficiently heavy torotate to engage the tooth with the appropriate notch whenever thatmovement is permitted by camv 81, or a spring may be provided for thispurpose when necessary or desirable.

Brush frame 20 is reciprocated in proper relation to the conveyormovement by suitable mechanism such as the following: A cam body 85 ismounted on av shaft 86 carried by suitable bearings supported by frame11. This shaft is connected to shaft For 'this purpose A l 63,to move atthe same speed, by a chain .Y of packages P projecting considerablyabove 87 and sprockets carried by the respective shafts. 4The cam bodyhas a cam channel 88 in which engages acam roller 89 mounted I on onevarm of a lever 90, which is fulcrumed at 91 on a part of the frame.rThe other end of the lever is connected by avlink 92 to the lower endof upright 30. The cam groove is arranged so that downward movement ofbrush 20 commences at about `the time theconveyor comes to rest and thevframe completes its downward and return movement during .the restmovement of the conveyor and then the brush frame is held up by the camuntil another row of packages is brought into position by the conveyor.

The moving suitable way, r instance, a drive pulley may be placed oneither shaft 86 or shaft 63, or either lof these shafts may be connectedto another movingl part of a complete machine of which mechanismconstitutingthe present invention may be an operatlve part. Figs. 4 and5 showmodified means for discharging packagesor rows of packages fromthe brush mechanism. According to thisv modification each downwardstroke of the combined brush and feed device leaves a row the brushmembers. At the next upward movement this row passes -between parallelvertical guide members 100 carried by -a suitable slotted frame 101which is -in turn supported by uprightsg102, connected to the main frameof the machine, `or to the table. The vertical guides maybe slotted asin the case of guides 15, providing openings 103 lto accommodate rows ofbrush bristles so that the guide members do not interfere with thecomplete upward movement of the brushes. The vertical guide members maybe made of thin spring metal and shaped to yieldlngly grip the packagesso that at the next downward 'movement of the brush frame a row` ofpackages is retained between the guides as shown in Fig. 5. The nextupward movel ment of the brush frame causes the upper row of packagescarried by the brushes to push up the row suspended in guides 100 untiltheir lower ends lie parallel to -the upper surfaces of a table 105extending laterally from the upper end of the opening be-v tween guides100. The table constitutesthe bottom of a package channel, the sides ofwhich are defined by upright guide members 106. The lateral feed member,consisting of a plate 107, substantially co-extensive with the face ofthe package row, is now. moved laterally to transfer the package rowbodily into the lateral channel. For this purpose feed plate 107 ismounted on an'upright 108, the lower end of which issecured tohorizontal bars 109-110. These bars are mounted in suitable horizontalguide-ways fparts may be driven in any.

' vided with an operating arm 139. This armv anales but conveniently iscarried by shaft 63, Fig.

The other end of the 1. The cam groove is arranged so that feed plate107 is reciprocated during the period` of rest of the brush frame at the`upper end l of its stroke.

A follower block 130 is located in lateral feed channel 106 to maintainthe rows of packages in the channel in upright position..= o hold eachrow o-f packages as 1t is' fed' into the channel -inproper`position'fade-;

tent,` 135 is desirably provided, lthe present case this consists of "asheet metal sav plate having a downwardly bent end 136 overla row.

ing the upper face of the packagel he plate is carried by an oscillatingshaft 137 mounted on uprights 138 and prohas a cam roller `140 engagedby a cam 141 pivoted at 142 on a block 143 carried by a rod 144 boltedto feed plate 107. -Cam 141 is urged down by a spring 145 and itsdownward movement is limitedl b-y a suitable stop. rlhe Ycam has abeveled face 146 confronting cam roller 140. In the position sho-wn in'F ig. 4- detent136 is in engagement vwith the last package row whichhas been inserted in the lateral feed channel. At the commencement of`the next feed movement beveled face '146 of cam 141' raises cam roller11,40, and detent 136 is thus elevated sufficiently to permit thel newrow. of packages tomove into the position shown in Fig. 5. `During thismovement the cam roller rides over the upper surface of the cam' andthen drops j below the right hand end of the cam. Feed the end of thereturn movement'the cam ldrops back into normal engagement with the camroller as shown in Fig. 4.

It is evident from the foregoing that the combined label applying, orsmoothing down .and pressing, and package feeding dev ice is animportant novel featureof the invention which may be used in manydifferent adaptations apart from the particular machine here shown.While the present invention is identified as labeling mechanism for wantof a better term, it is'not necessarily limited to applying labels, butmay be employed in any case where it is desired to apply or smooth orpress down adhesive sheets upon articles, and at the .same time'Y toadvance the articles successively toward another position. A' desirableadaptation of this .feature of ,the invention is well illus.-

trated in the present example in which the labels are, specifically,revenue stamps applied to 'cigarette packages. -It is evldent also in abroader sense of the invention that it is not limited `to operating uponrows of packages. Packages or articles may be handled one 'at atime,successively, by correspondingly simplified arrangement of themechanism. v

Other features of the invention are also capable of embodiment indifferent-forms,. and no limitations to details of constructionorarrangement are intended, except 'as ex- .pressed in the claims.

Whatwe claim is:

l. In mechanism for applying adhesively coated labels and thelike, acombinedlabel i applying and article advancing instrumentalitycomprising yieldable labelyapplying and article gripping members, andmeans for moving the. instrumentality to smooth down label portions uponsuccessive articles and to feed the articles successively forward in arow with the articles in contact, by the combined action of saidinstrumentalityl and of each successive article advancing into theinstrumentality.

2. In mechanism for applying adhe-sively coated labels and the like, acombined label applying and article feeding instrumentality, arranged toprovide an article passage, comprising yieldable label a plying andarticle gripping elements in t epassage, and

means for moving the instrumentality 'to and fro to applylabel portionsto successive articles and advance the articles successively throughsaid passage.

3. A movable label applyin andarticle feeding instrumentality rovi ingan article passage, comprising exible label pressing and articlegripping members substantially forming twoopposite walls of the passage,and means. for-moving the instrumentality to and fro to smooth downlabel portions uponsuccessive ,articles and grip the articles andadvance them successively through the passage.

4. A combined label applying and article feeding instrumentalitycomprising opposed brushes providing an article channel ,with brushmembers positioned to smooth ldown label portions upon articles and togrip successive articles and move them in one direction and to movefreely over the articles in Vthe opposite direction, and meansfor mov-'ing the instrumentality to and fro.

5. A combined label aiixing and article feeding instrumentality comrising bodies arranged to provide an artic e channel and brushingbristlesdiagonally arranged on .the bodies and having their inner endssubstantially defining two opposite walls of the channel, and means forreciprocating the instrumentality, whereby'the bristles smoothand-.press down-label portonsupon successive articles and grip thearticles and advance them through the'channel.

6. A combined label applying and article feeding instrumentalitycomprising side members providing a .passage of a length to accommodateaplurality of articles in end to end relation and flexiblearticle-engaging and label applying members'carried by one' of the sidemembers and arranged to sub'- st'an'tially define one side of saidpassage, and means for moving said instrumentallty to-and-fro.v

\\7. A combined label applying and article feeding instri'imentalityvcomprising side,

members of a length sufficient to accommodate between them a pluralityof articles in end to end relation, a plurality of fiexible diagonallyarranged label applying and article feeding elements carried by one ofthe side members, and means for reciprocating the instrumentality.

8. A combined label applying and articlev -feeding instrumentality,comprising op-posite side members 'of a length sufiicient vtoaccommodate betweenthem a plurality of articles in end to end'relationand brush bristles' diagonally arranged on the inner faces of the sidemembers and forming. substantially two oppositeV walls of an articlepassage, and means for reciprocating the instrumentality so that thebrush bristles act to smooth and press down label portions uponsuccessive articles and to feed the articles successively through thepassage in a step by step movement. V

9. A combined label applying and articlev feeding instrumentalitycomprising side members dimensioned to accommodate betweenV them a4plurality of rows of similar articles, and flexible elements extendingin- 4ward from one yof the side members and arranged Vto yieldinglyengage the articles of successive rows .and also to fold and press downlabel. portions against the articles, and means for moving theinstrumentality to and fro.

1o. A combined label applying and article [them from Athe posltioningmeans, and means for moving said instrumentality toward and fromv thepositioning means.

12. A labeling machine comprising Ameans for positioning a row ofsimilar articles having partially attached labels, .and a combined labelattaching and article feeding instrumentality comprising side membersadapted to be moved down over the article row and yieldable labelapplying and article gripping means carried by one of the side members,and means for moving the vinstrumentality toward and from thepositioning means to operate upon and remove successive rows ofarticles.

13. A labeling machine comprising means for positioning successive rowsof articles having intially applied labels, a combined label applyingandv article feeding 'instrumentality comprising side members providedwith diagonally arranged brush elements constituting substantially anarticle channel dimensione-d to accommodate a plurality of rows ofarticles, andmeans for rows of articles, means for moving theinstrumentality toward and from the positioning -means whereby the brushelements smooth down label portions upon articlesl of successive rowsand grip and feedthe rowsof 'articles successively between the sideVmembers in .a ste by step movement, and means for dellecting articlesejected from said instrumentality.

15. A labeling machine comprising means for positioning successive rowsof articles having initially applied labels, a combined label applyingand article feeding instrumentality comprising side members provided*sage and press labels upon the articles.-

withl diagonally arranged brush elements constituting substantially anarticle channel dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of rows ofarticles, means for moving the instrumentality toward and from thepositioning means whereby the brushingV elements smooth down labelportions upon articles of successive rows and grip and feed the -rows.of articles successively between the sidey members in a step b stepmovement, and means for carrying o rows of articles ejected from saidinstrumentality.

16. A labeling machine comprising means for positioninglsuccessive rowslof articles having initially applied labels, a combined label applyingand article feeding 'instrumentality comprising side members providedwith diagonally arranged brush elements constituting substantiallyanarticle channel dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of rows ofarticles, means for moving the in- -strumentality toward and from thepositioning means wherebythebrushing elements smooth down label portionsupon articles of j successive rows and grip and feed the rows ofarticles successively between the side`A members in a step by stepmovement, means for carrying off rows of article ejected from saidinstrumentality, and means for guidingv f rows of articles ejected fromsaid instrul mentality to the carry-olf means.-

1-7. A labeling-or like machine 'comprising a belt conveyor, spacedarticle engaging members on the conveyor, means for advancing theconveyor intermittently, means for locking the conveyor intermittently,and a combined label ai'lixing and article removing.A instrumentalityproviding an article channel for the. passage of a series of articlesinT contact and comprising yielding article feeding and label pressingmeans, and means timed relation to movements of the conveyor toward and.from the conveyor to remove articles from the conveyor, advance themthrough said passage and press labels upon the articles.

18. A labeling or like machine comprising a beltconveyor, a` shaft, aconveyor pulley on the shaft, a drive shaft, an inter- .mediate shaftgeared to the pulley shaft and provided with radial channelsa. membercarried by the drive shaft and adapted to cooperate with the channelssuccessively to impart a step by step movement to the. conveyor belt,and a combined label `aflixing and article removing instrumentalityproviding an article channel for the passage of a series of articles incontact and comprising yielding articles feeding and label pressinglmeans, and means for moving said instrumentality in regularly vtimedrelation to movements of the conveyor toward and from the conveyor to'remover articles from the conveyor, advance them through said pasformoving said instrumentality in regularly the conveyor to remove articlesfrom the conveyor, advance them through said passage and press labelsupon the articles.

20. A labeling or like machine comprising means for positioning a row ofarticles, a combined label applying and article feeding instrumentalitycomprising side members and brush bristles projecting inwardly betweenthe side members, means for moving the instrumentality toward and fromthe positioning means, and guide members for the article row adjacent tothe positioning means and provided with openings to accommodate certainof the brush bristles.

2l. A labeling or like machine comprising a conveyor for positioningsuccessive rows of articles, a combined label applying and articlefeeding instrumentality comprising a frame, an enclosure carried byA theframe and dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of rows of articles insuperposed endwise relation, a plurality of groups of rows of brushbristles carried b opposite sides of the enclosure and incline diagonally in the direction of feed, and means for reciprocating saidinstrumentality toward and from the conveyor in timed relation to theconveyor movement.

22. A labeling or like machine comprising a conveyor for positioningsuccessive rows of articles, a combined label applying and articlefeeding instrumentality comprising a frame, an enclosure carried by theframe and dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of rows of articles inSuperposed endwise relation, a plurality of groups of rows of brushbristles carried by opposite sides of the enclosure and inclineddiagonally in the direction of feed, a vertical member supporting saidframe, guides for rthe vertical member, and means for moving thevertical member in timed relation to the conveyor movement.

23. A labeling or like machine comprising a conveyor for positioningsuccessive rows of articles, a combined label applying and articlefeeding instrumentality comprising a frame, an enclosure carried byther-frame and dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of rows ofarticles in super-posed endwise relation, a plurality of groupsl of rowsof brush bristles carried by opposite sides of the enclosure andinclined diagonally in the direction of feed, means for moving the frametoward and from the conveyor and vertical article row guide membersadjacent to the conveyor forming substantially a guide trough for thearticle row, said guide ineinbers having spaced openings to accommodatecertain of the groups of brush bristles and permit a full downwardmovement of said instrumentality.

24. A labeling or like machine comprising a conveyor, means for drivingit intermittent'ly, guides for a row of articles at one point adjacentto the conveyor, a frame, an enclosure carried by the frame, a pluralityof groups of brush bristles carried by two opposite sides of theenclosure and arrangedl diagonally with their inner ends constitutingsubstantially an article passage dimensioned to accommodate a pluralityof superposed rows of articles, and means for moving the frame towardand from the conveyor to initially brush down ends of adhesive labelsaffixed to the tops of a row of articles thereon and successivemovements of the frame then acting to feed the rows of articlessuccessively up through the article passage.

A labeling or like machine comprising a conveyor, means for driving itintermittently, guides for a row of articles at one point adjacent tothe conveyor, a frame, an enclosure carried by the frame, a plurality ofgroups of brush bristles carried by two opposite sides of the enclosureand arranged diagonally with their inner ends constituting substantiallyan article passage dimensione to accommodate a plurality of superposedrows of articles, means for moving the frame toward and from theconveyor to initially brush down ends of adhesive labels aiixedto thetops of a row of articles thereon and successive movements of the framethen acting to feed the rows of articles successively up through thearticle passage, a lateral support to receive rows of articlesdischarged from the upper end of said passage, and means for directingrows of articles onto said lateral support.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, this 18 day of November A. D. 1920.

JOHN A. OLSON. JOHN E. WILLIAMSON.

